UNLABELLED: In the neonatal period, seizures rank among the most common neurological symptoms, often indicating an underlying serious neurological condition. It is remarkable that although new tools have been incorporated into the diagnosis of neonatal seizures, there is no consensus about the therapeutic approach among different doctors and institutions. Hence, although phenobarbital is still considered the initial drug of choice, the protocols reported in the literature show a great variability in the approach to treatment of refractory seizures. We used a questionnaire to gain information regarding the treatment of seizures in the neonatal period in different European institutions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that phenobarbital is still the initial drug of choice followed by benzodiazepines, except in preterm infants with a birth weight below 1800 g. In refractory seizures, the use of continuous lidocaine infusion is most common. Of note, clinical studies with newer drugs have been mostly performed in the United States but not in Europe.
UNLABELLED: In the neonatal period, seizures rank among the most common neurological symptoms, often indicating an underlying serious neurological condition. It is remarkable that although new tools have been incorporated into the diagnosis of neonatal seizures, there is no consensus about the therapeutic approach among different doctors and institutions. Hence, although phenobarbital is still considered the initial drug of choice, the protocols reported in the literature show a great variability in the approach to treatment of refractory seizures. We used a questionnaire to gain information regarding the treatment of seizures in the neonatal period in different European institutions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that phenobarbital is still the initial drug of choice followed by benzodiazepines, except in preterm infants with a birth weight below 1800 g. In refractory seizures, the use of continuous lidocaine infusion is most common. Of note, clinical studies with newer drugs have been mostly performed in the United States but not in Europe.
Authors: Marcel P H van den Broek; Alwin D R Huitema; Johan G C van Hasselt; Floris Groenendaal; Mona C Toet; Toine C G Egberts; Linda S de Vries; Catharine M A Rademaker Journal: Clin Pharmacokinet Date: 2011-07 Impact factor: 6.447
Authors: Linda G M van Rooij; Marcel P H van den Broek; Carin M A Rademaker; Linda S de Vries Journal: Paediatr Drugs Date: 2013-02 Impact factor: 3.022
Authors: Janet S Soul; Ann M Bergin; Christian Stopp; Breda Hayes; Avantika Singh; Carmen R Fortuno; Deirdre O'Reilly; Kalpathy Krishnamoorthy; Frances E Jensen; Valerie Rofeberg; Min Dong; Alexander A Vinks; David Wypij; Kevin J Staley Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2020-12-03 Impact factor: 10.422